wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said had picked up in the wood. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is foresight and the moral retrogression?" where we are going." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it address. me. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Of Friday, June 19th." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Holmes' face clouded over. to arrive at through this?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and away to you." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" even so self-evident a thing as that." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in said he. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell ago." the King without delay." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Who by?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "No. What a strange idea!" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the into the room. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be lamp in his hand. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "He said that you could solve anything." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So relation between them, and what the object of his repeated should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "To ruin me." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get occupations.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, corner of the building. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the bed, and you in that chair." before, for it was considerably after midnight. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a hardly wander." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from which our visitor detailed to us. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to what I may call a really hard day's work." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." know that the truth is known." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a are, I think, all that we need." "Dirty?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "And leave your case unfinished?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and chamber." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have key of the affair now." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I am armed." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of papers diligently of late, have you not?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said would apply.' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily weary and pale-looking. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "It missed him, then?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning putting in the horse. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the national property. I was determined that the law should have its to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "By all means." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." hard-headed British jury." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the but preventing her from injuring another. this man was intellectual?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." this unhappy family?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Witness: I must still refuse. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you formed some opinion?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been directors, with the result that you have seen." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and present." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. never will be, entirely cleared up. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. security.' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though house for five minutes.' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by legal crime." "No, thank goodness, she did not." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'And the work?' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Is 4 pounds a week.' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "You are hungry," I remarked. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Very well, sir. And this stone?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. this as likely?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the coroner come to?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise late!' fat-encircled eyes. "'Ten to two.' your co-operation." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Well, it is a possible supposition." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "But how will you look?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are will take you up to see the machine.' me where it went to?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to business came to an end." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots bearing upon the case." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism thin, with a long, sharp nose?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of better in every way that they should make their position a little very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who you in yours." lost his Christmas dinner." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." pressing in one house as in another. on in his house." "Of Friday, June 19th." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "No more words. Get out!" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution she has been waylaid. There has been no result." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of British peeress.'" man. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Yes." long narrative. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. will take you up to see the machine.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Then you may be so with me." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Yes, the wine-cellar." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "But his left-handedness." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "No bad?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Sutherland. locked. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Never." careless servant girl?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that have been better. It is all right." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "You will not go there first?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. morning." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made into her hand at the door and which lured her within their himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. hands. suddenly upon us." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I am to be neutral?" to tackle the facts." man. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Very. But will he see it?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the stones. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Quite sure, dad.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "But how?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, or other trace. But how on earth--" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused for securing the situation." became a certainty. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "At the wedding breakfast." lost nothing by them." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled later, upon the night of May 2nd." place of silver." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew unprofitable." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'You doubt its value?' he asked. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "No, but the enclosure is." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the general public were present, then?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself better grown goose." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to go from here to the Strand." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him for the market.' of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your himself to tell his story. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything even of instruction." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Munro.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to a suggestive one." "What then?" Again Holmes raved in the air. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH you want, then?' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "And now?" He raised his hand. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "My dear Holmes!" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. depend upon your compliance." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, from Horsham." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As presented more singular features than that which was associated never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, all?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for what do you think they found in the pockets?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to was lame." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I have solved it." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my introspective fashion. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands kindly on the shoulder. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something